brooks



atented sept. 27, 89s.

W. W. BROOKS. PRUPELLING MECHANISM FOR BICYCLES.

(Application med nec. 6, 1897.)

2 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

Tus' Nonms News co. Puurs-Limo v/AsmNoToN. o. c.

No. 6i|,557. Patented Sept. 27, 1898.

W. W. BRUUKS.

PBOPELLING MECHANISH FUR BICYCLES. (Application led Dec. 8, 1897.) (N0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

VILLIAM lV. BROOKS, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THOMAS WV. CARTER, OF SAME PLACE.

PROPELLING MECHANIVSNI FOR BICYCLES.

SPECIFICATION fofmingpart of Letters Patent No. e1 1,557, dated september 2'?, 189s.

Application filed December 6, 1897. Serial No. 660,894. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, TWILLIAM W. BROOKS,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Propelling Mechanism for Bicycles, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to 4improvements in propelling mechanism for bicycles of that class which employ treadle-levers adapted to reciprocate vertically as distinguished from rotary cranks for the operation of a sprocketwheel connected by an intermediate chain with the rear hub of the bicycle.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved propelling mechanism in which the upward or lifting movement of the treadle-levers is effected in a positive manner by connections `with the sprocketwheel or treadle-lever shaft, thus dispensing with a spring-and-ratchet drum for the elevation of the treadle-levers.

A further object of the invention is to so .construct and arrange the various parts that the propelling mechanism may be utilized under certain conditions as a brake to arrest4 or retard the travel of the bicycle.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide a novel form of clutch mechanism to permit the treadle-lever to move in an upward direction very freely and with minimum resistance, but which operates to couple the treadle-lever rigidly and securely to its shaft on the downstroke of the lever under the pressure of the rider.

With these ends in view my invention consists in the novel combination of elements the dotted line 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view, in side elevation, of one form of sprocket-wheel and clutch mechanism which i may be used in connection with the treadleshaft of thev propelling mechanism. Fig. 5

is a vertical transverse section. Figs. 6, 7,

. 'and S are views in longitudinal section, transverse section, and perspective, with the members detached, of anotherembodiment of the 6o clutch mechanism which may be used in my invention. Fig. 9 is a view in side elevation of another form of clutch mechanism for use in connection with one of the treadle-levers. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section through the 65 clutch and lever shown by Fig. 9. Fig. 1l

is a det-ail perspective view showing the parts detached forming the clutch illustrated by Figs. 9 and l0. Fig. l2 is a detail view of the crank for use in connection with the 7o clutch shown by Figs. 9, l0, and ll. Fig.v 13 is a detail view, in side elevation, of one treadle-lever to be used in connection with the clutch shown by Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive. Figs. 14 and 15 are views of a modified form 75 of the link connection between the crankshaft and the treadle-lever.

Like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts in each of the several gures of the drawings.

The framework of the bicycle is of ordinary construction, except that I provide on the inclined reach between the steering-head and the crank-hanger a bearing `l for a crankshaft. Asis usual, the crank-hangeris united to the seat-post socket, the rear fork, and the inclined front reach, and in this crank-shaft hanger 2 is journaled va transverse treadleshaft 3. The ends of this treadle-shaft protrude for suitable distances beyond the ends 9o of the crank-hanger, and on said protruding ends of the treadle-shaft are tted the treadlelevers 4 5. Each lever consists, preferably, of a single bent arm provided at its outer end with an enlargement 6, which carries a pedal. The inner end of each treadle-lever is pro-l vided with an annulus or ring 8, and in the inner end of this annulus is formed a series of transverse recesses 9, one wall of each recess being inclined or tapered, as at 9. The Ioo ring or annulus of the treadle-lever is tted loosely on the protruding end of the treadleshaft, and in each of the recesses of the annulus of each lever is placed a loose clutchroller 10, which is pressed by a spring 10n against the inclined wall 9 of the recess and upon the periphery of the treadle-shaft ,in a manner to forcibly bind on the shaft when pressure is applied to the lever and thereby clutch the treadle-lever firmly to the shaft on the downstroke of said lever.

The treadle-levers are held on the protruding ends of the treadle-shaft by any suitable mechanical contrivances, and the clutch-rollers 10 in said levers are designed to make the levers fast with the treadle-shaft when pressure is applied to the levers in a downward direction; but after the levers have completed their downstrokes the clutch-rollers are free and the levers are permitted to return by the mechanism which willbe presently described.

On one side of the bicycle and between the crank-hanger and one treadle-lever is fitted a sleeve 11, which is keyed to the shaft or rigidly fastened thereto in any suitable way. This sleeve furnishes a cylindrical surface for the engagement of clutch -rollers in a sprocket-pinion 12. The hub of the sprocketpinion 12 is fitted on the sleeve 11 to rotate or turn freely thereon when the sprocket-pinion moves in one direction; but said sprocketpinion is designed to be made fast with the sleeve by the employment of clutch-rollers 13 and springs 14. The hub of said sprocketpinion is provided with a plurality of recesses 15, formed equidistant within the inner surface of said hub, and each recess has an inclined wall or edge 15, against which the roller 13 within said recess is normally pressed by the action of the spring 14, thus causing the roller to wedge itself in place between the periphery of the sleeve 11 and the inclined face 15a of the sprocket-pinion hub.

The springs 14 are preferably of the form shown by the drawings-that is to say, each spring consists of a sheet or length of elastic metal which is bent or doubled upon itself in a coiled form to provide a continuous spiral and adapted by its inherent elasticity to eX- pand between a straight or radial wall of the recess and one of the loose clutch-rollers 13. The sprocket-pinion has its teeth 121L arranged centrally between its ends andradially with respect to the axis of the treadle-shaft, and the recesses 15 open through both ends of the hub of said sprocket-pinion. These recesses are closed by the face-plates 16, which are applied to the ends of the sprocket-pinion hub and are secured in place by screws or other fastenin gs, said face-plates serving to prevent endwise displacement of the rollers and their impelling-springs.

As is usual in safety-bicycles, the hub of the rear wheel is provided with a driven sprocketpinion, (not shown,) and the sprocket-wheel 12b on the treadle-shaft and said sprocketpinion are operatively connected together by a sprocket-chain 1S.

20 designates the crank-shaft, which is arranged in a horizontal position in front of the treadle-shaft, and this crank-shaft is journaled in the bearing 1 on the inclined reach of the bicycle-frame. pies a position parallel to the treadle-shaft in advance of the same and in a plane above the horizontal plane of said treadle-shaft.

in practice I may elevate the crank-shaft about two inches above the treadle-shaft and about live inches in front of the same; but the distances between said shafts maybe varied within the skill of the mechanic. The crank-shaft 2O and the treadle-shaft 3 are connected together for rotation simultaneously by a sprocket-chain 21, which passes around the clutch sprocket-pinion 12 and a similar sprocket-pinion 22 on the shaft 20. The sprocket-pinion 22 is similarin construction to the sprocket-pinion 12 on the treadleshaft, and these sprocket-pinions may be of corresponding size and provided with a like number of teeth to insure rotation of the crank-shaft 2O at the same speed with the treadle-shaft 2. Such equal speed of the treadle-shaft and crank-shaft is not strictly necessary, however, because the treadle-shaft may be driven at a higher speed than the crank-shaft, if desired.

I provide the treadle-shaft with a pinion 12c at the opposite end from the pinion 12, and the crank-shaft is provided with a similar pinion 22, which is connected with the pinion 12c by a sprocket-chain 21a. The crank-shaft 2O protrudes beyond its bearing 1 in the bicycle-frame, and to the ends of said shaft are attached the cranks 23. These cranks 23 are linked `at 24 to the treadle-levers 4 5, each link being attached at one end by a pivotal bolt 25 to its proper crank 23 and connected in a similar manner by a bolt 26 to its treadlelever at a point intermediate of the length of the latter. The connection of the link to the treadle-lever may be adjusted by providing two or more apertures in the treadle-lever, as at 26a, through either of which apertures the pivotal bolt may be passed for the purpose of varying the leverage of the treadle-lever on the crank 23, carried by the shaft 20.

From the foregoing, description it will be seen that my improved propelling mechanism for a bicycle embodies treadle-levers which are adapted to be clutched to the treadleshaft on their downstrokes, that the crankshaft is geared to the treadle-shaft to be rotated thereby, and that the crank-shaft is operatively connected with the treadle-levers. This connection of the crank-shaft with the treadle-levers provides a means for lifting the treadle-levers after they have reached the limit of their downstrokes under the pressure applied thereto by the rider of the bicycle, and the described construction provides mechanical connections whereby the treadlelevers are positively raised by the action of the links and cranks connected to the crankshaft, which is driven from the treadle-shaft, thus dispensing with the employment of a The crank-shaft occu- IIO spring-controlled ratchet-drum, which is generally used in propelling mechanism of the class to which my invention relates.

It will be seen that when one treadle-lever is forced downward it operates to rotate the treadle-shaft, and the link and crank travel with said treadle-lever on its downstroke. Vhen the treadle-lever reaches the full limit of its downward movement, the crank connected thereto passes the dead-center of the crank-shaft, and as the crank-shaft is impelled by connections with the treadle-shaft the crank on'its upstroke serves, through the link 24, to raise the treadle-lever to its elevated position convenient for the application of powerthereto by the bicycle-rider.

In my improved bicycle the propelling mechanism is so constructed and arranged that the rider can promptly start the bicycle with a minimum loss of power, and the described mechanism enables the machine to be propelled without undue effort on the part of the rider when traveling upgrade.

The improved propelling mechanism may also be employed to retard orarrest the travel of the vehicle. l/Vhen it is desired to use the mechanism for this purpose, the operator applies pressure to the treadle-lever when the crank is on the upstroke, thus causing thesprocket-pinion 22 or 22a to pull on the sprocket-chain 21 or 21a, the motion of which is communicated to the sprocket-pinion on the treadle-shaft through the sprocket-wheel 121 and chain to the sprocketpinion on the rear hub.

Iprefer to employ the construction of clutch mechanism shown by Figs. 6, 7, and 8 or by Figs. 9, 10, and 1l. In this type of clutch mechanism I employ the sleeve 11 in connection with a divided clutch 27, reference being had more particularly to Figs. 6, 7, and 8. This clutch comprises a body which is divided or bisected longitudinally to form the two members 28 and 29. Each member 28 and 29 is provided with a central opening 30 and with a segmental solid wall 3l. The members are adapted to be applied or tted laterally together to have the solid walls 31 thereof fit within spaces provided in the members, and the walls 31 of said members form ears 32, ar ranged to overlap each other and to be pivotally connected together by means of a pin 33, which passes through the members and the ears thereof. The member 28 is provided with a slot 34, and the member 29 has a pintle 35, which passes through said slot in the member 28. The clutch member 28 is also provided with a pivotal stud 36, which constitutes the fulcrum for the treadle-lever, and said treadle-lever is connected to the pintle 35 in a manner to have a limited turning movement on the fulcrum-stud 36 for the purpose of opening or closing the members or jaws 28 29 of the bisected clutch. The solid walls 31 of the pivoted members or jaws 28 29 of the clutch are provided in their opposing faces or jaws with segmental recesses 37 each recess having an inclined wall 37l These recesses are opposite to the sleeve 11, and in the recesses are iitted the springpressed clutch-rollers 38 of the form substantially as described in connection with the clutch-pinion 12. i

The member 28 of the clutch is provided with a guide rib or flan ge 39, which is adapted to ride against the outer edge of the member 29. In this embodiment of the clutch the members or jaws are hinged together to move for a slight distance with relation to the sleeve 11, and the treadle-lever is connected with the two members of the clutch so as to have its fulcrum on one clutch member and be loosely connected to the other clutch member in order that the lever on its upstroke may permit the clutch members to open slightly and release the binding action between the rollers 38 and the sleeve v11. On the upstroke of the lever the clutch is free practically from engagement with the sleeve 1l; but when pressure is applied to the treadle-lever in a downward direction the lever turns on its fulcrum 3G and actuates the pintle 3-5 to close the members or jaws of the clutch and cause the clutch-rollers 38 to forcibly impinge against the sleeve 11, and thereby make the clutch,

the treadle-lever, and the sleeve fast with the shaft on .which the clutch is mounted.

The clutch shown by Figs. 9, 10, and 11 is analogous in its operation to the clutch shown by Figs. 6, 7, and 8, and just described, but the detailed construction of the clutch illustrated by Figs. 9, 10, and l1 is changed somewhat with a view to reducing the number ot' parts and simplifying the construction. This type of clutch embodies a castmetal body 40, which consists of a face-plate 41, having a transverse circular opening 42` therein,a recessed plate 43 arranged parallel to the face-plate 41 and cut away at an intermediate point of its lengthto provide the recess 43a, which is in line with the opening 42, and a transverse wall 44, which unites the plates 41 43 at one side of the body. This body is thus constructed to provide a longitudinal passage or chamber, which is open at one side andboth ends of the body, and in this chamber is tted a jaw 45. At one end of the body 40 the plates 41 43 have the ears or lugs 46, between which are fitted a corre# sponding lug 47 on the jaw 45, for the purpose of receiving a pivot 48, which attaches the jaw 45 to the body 40 in a manner to permit the jaw to have a limited movementor play within the body. The jaw 45 is of curved form, and its front end has a fork 49. In the concaved side of this pivoted jaw is provided the recesses 50, to receive the springcontrolled rollers 51, which are adapted to bind upon the cylindrical surface of the sleeve 11, the latter passing through the opening and recess in the body 40. The treadlelever is iitted in one open end of the body, and said lever is fulcrumed, as at 52, to the body in a manner to have its rear extremity IOO IIO

t in the fork 49 of the pivoted jaw 45. It will thus be seen that the lever is fulcrumed to one member of the clutch, (represented by Jthe body 40,) while the end of the lever is connected to the other member of the clutch, (represented by the jaw 45.) The lever is thus adapted to have a limited movement or play on its fulcrum sufficient to permit the members or jaws of the clutch to open and close, whereby the movement of the lever in one direction operates to make the clutch fast with the sleeve 11, and its movement in the opposite direction is free or unrestrained by the clutch, because the jaws thereof are open sufficient for the clutch-rollers to ride upon the sleeve 11.

In lieu of the crank-and-link connection between the -treadle-lever and the crankshaft I may employ the slidable link connection illustrated by Figs. 14 and 15 of the drawings. This slidable link connection consists of a two-part eXtensible link 55, one member of which is adapted to be connected to the crank-shaft in a manner to ride therewith, while the other member is pivotally attached to the treadle-lever. The member 56 of the eXtensible link is preferably provided with a square socket to fit a corresponding end of the crank-shaft 20. Said member 56 is further provided with a longitudinal groove or channel 57. The other member 58 of the extensible link has a longitudinal socket 59, which receives the member 56 in a manner to permit the latter to have a sliding movement therein, and said member 58 carries a setscrew 63 or other equivalent stop, which is fitted loosely in the longitudinal groove or channel of the member 56 for the purpose of holding the two members in proper alinement to prevent the disconnection of the members when extended their full limit and to prevent the members from turning axially with respect to each other. The end of the channel or groove adjacent to the extremity of the link member 56 is closed by an abrupt wall or abutment 60, against which the end of the stop-screw may impinge, and the sliding movement of the two link members with respect to each other is cushioned under certain conditions by a coil-spring 61, which is contained in the socket of the member 58 in the path of the solid member 56.

I prefer to employ the crank-and-link connection heretofore described, and shown in sprocket-pinions 12 22 on the treadle and crank shafts may have equal numbers 0f teeth to cause the shaft 2O to rotate at the same speed as the treadle-shaft; but the numbers of teeth in the sprocket-pinion 12 may be diminished by one or more teeth with reference to the number of teeth in the other sprocket-pinion 22, thus allowing the shafts to be rotated at somewhat different speed and not require the operator to work the treadlelevers so fast.

Under some conditions of service of the propelling mechanism the clutch formed sprocket-pinions on the shafts 3 20 are allowed to work loosely on said shafts; but when normal conditions prevail and the mechanism is operated to propel the bicycle the sprocket-pinions are clutched to the shafts in order to have the shaft 20 driven by the treadle-shaft for the purpose of giving the lift or upstroke to the treadle-levers.

It will be understood that either of the described forms of clutches may be employed in connection with the treadle-levers to make theA same fast with the treadle-shaft on the downstrokes of the levers and to allow the clutches to remain idle on the upstrokes of said levers, the levers acting alternately in the driving of the shaft 3.

While the clutches are especially desirable and serviceable in the propelling mechanism, it is evident that such clutches or either of them may be used in other arts or relations where such a device is desirable.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a propelling and back-pedaling brake mechanism for bicycles, the combination with a treadle-shaft, and treadle-levers with means for clutching the same to said shaft, of a crankshaft operatively connected with the treadlelevers, gearing between the crank-shaft and treadle-shaft, and clutch devices for making the gears fast with their respective shafts, substantially as described.

2. In a propelling and back-pedaling mechanism for bicycles, the combination with a treadle-shaft,and treadle-levers havin g clutch devices for making the same fast with the treadle-shaft, of a crank-shaft having link connections with said treadle-levers, sprocketpinions fitted to the treadle and crank-shafts, and said pinions provided with clutch devices for making the same fast with their respective shafts, a sprocket-chain connecting said sprocket-pinions, and means for operatively connecting the treadle-shaft with a rear wheel, substantially as described.

3. In a propelling mechanism for bicycles, the combination with a treadle-shaft and treadle-levers, of a crank-shaft journaled in the bicycle-frame in advance of said treadleshaft, sprocket-pinions provided with clutch devices and mounted on the treadle-shaft and the crank-shaft, a sprocket-chain connect- Il l ing said sprocket-pinions, and driving connections between the treadle-levers and the.

crank-shaft, substantially as described.

4. In a propelling mechanism for bicycles, the combination with a shaft or sleeve, of a divided hinged clutch embracing said sleeve and having rollers which are confined within the clutch members and arranged to bind against the sleeve, and a treadle-lever operatively connected with the clutch members to close the latter and make the rollers grip the sleeve, for the purpose described, substantially as set forth.

5. In a propelling mechanism for bicycles, the combination with a shaft orsleeve, of a divided clutch which embraces said shaft or sleeve, and has its members hinged together to open` or close a limited distance, clutchrollers mounted loosely in one or both members of said clutch and arranged to have contact with the shaft or sleeve, and a treadlelever fulcrumed on one member of the clutch and connected with the other clutch member, substantially as and for the purposes described.

6. A divided clutch consisting of overlapping members one of which carries a series of gripping-rollers, a hinge-pintle for uniting the members pivotally together, and a lever fulfitted to, and hinged together at one side of,

said shaft or sleeve and one of said members carrying a series of spring-pressed rollers arranged to bind on the shaft or sleeve, and a lever pivoted at a point intermediate of its length to one clutch member and loosely connected to the free end of the clutch member which sustains the gripping-rollers, substantially as described.

ln testimony that Iclaim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM WV. BROOKS'.

Witnesses:

S. J. COOPER, S. Il. LIPSEY. 

